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Counseling for Children

Could Your Child Benefit from Counseling?

You’re searching for answers. Your child is showing you some signs of distress and you want support for them. It’s impacting their feelings, but we know this impacts your life and everyone in your family, too. Few things are harder than watching your child struggle. We get it.

Is your child is showing signs of sadness, irritability, difficulty controlling impulses or behavior, trouble paying attention or staying focused? Are they having trouble with friendships, feelings of hopelessness, anger, overreacting? Are they worried all the time or afraid of unusual things (afraid of throwing up, getting a “low grade” on a test, fear of fainting, flying, etc.)? Maybe something just feels “off” to you and you can’t put your finger on it?

If so, you are in the right place. You want your child to enjoy their life and thrive. We do too!

The benefits your child will see from doing therapy at Inspire:

Your child will learn about their feelings

Your child will have strategies for dealing with unpleasant feelings

Your child will understand what “triggers” some of their feelings and have different tools for those situations

Your child will learn how to have healthy and positive relationships with friends, siblings, parents

Your child will start to feel control of their impulses and behavior

Your child will be able to be more present and focused

Your child will learn healthy ways to communicate their feelings

Your child will will start to feel more confident

Your child will feel happier

Your child’s relationships with you & your family will improve

What does the counseling process look like?

The counseling process is designed to help empower you as a parent and give support support and strategies for your child to live their best life. Together, with your support at home and the therapist’s support in sessions, your child will learn tools to help them thrive at home, with friends and in school.

The first session will be approximately 60 minutes. The parent/caregiver attends the first session with child. Prior to this appointment, you will have the opportunity to talk with the therapist to voice your concerns and address what you’d like to see improved with your child.

In the first session, the therapist will introduce themselves, explain about the counseling process and then ask you, the parent, a couple questions. First, why is your child amazing? Second, what do you hope to see for your child as a result of counseling? These questions are designed to create a positive experience for your child. If you have negative feelings or concerns, you will have the opportunity to discuss those on the phone with the therapist prior to the session. We find counseling is more effective if kids feel good about themselves and focus on the positive results of the therapy process. This lasts about 10-15 minutes.

Then the parent is asked to have a seat in the waiting room, while the therapist continues with the child. If the child or parent is not comfortable with that, the parent is welcome to stay the entire session.

The therapist will go through new client questions with the child to get to know your child, their history and present situation. The second session is our unique formula for goal-setting. In this session your child will connect the desires of your goals with their heart and deeper desires in life.

The remainder of the sessions will then be primarily just your child and their therapist. They will work on skills and tools to address challenges and live their best life.

As the parent/caregiver, you can talk with your child’s therapist to learn ways you can be supporting your child at home. You will also have the opportunity to attend sessions with your child, or attend sessions individually with the therapist to focus on parenting support.

In order to see lasting results, a commitment of at least 8 weekly sessions is best. We are flexible and can work with different situations. However, to make an impact, it is important to recognize that change of any kind, requires attention and time. After your child’s 8 sessions, you can work with your therapist to determine next steps (reducing therapy to biweekly/monthly or terminating).

How much does therapy cost?

Counseling is a fee for service program. Inspire accepts all major forms of payment.

Inspire accepts insurance and offers in-network and out-of-network benefits. We accept BCBS PPO (soon to accept Humana and United Behavior Healthcare UBHC insurances), at their contracted rates. For your convenience, we will do a benefit check on your behalf and notify you of our in network or out of network benefits. Copays, deductibles or any out of pocket costs are due at the time of service.

About Inspire Counseling Center

Our therapists are trained in serving children as young as 3 years old. We have experience with schools, hospitals and Autism (ASD) & developmental delays. We are staffed and able to get your child in within the week.

We “get” children. Our professionals do play therapy, create structure with lots of different tools, games and hands-on experience to help children thrive.

We will work closely with you, care-givers, family members, Social Workers, pediatricians, psychiatrists, etc. to ensure a unified and effective plan for your child.

Counseling is an investment in your child’s future. Give them tools they can carry through grade school, Junior High, High School and beyond.

Support Your Child in Living Their Best Life.

Get Started Today!

Meet some of our child therapists!

Gretchen Zagzebski, MEd, LPC

Gretchen brings counseling experience from within the school system. She has experience in grade schools (Kindergarten-8th) and High School. She also worked in the education department in the Madison Children’s Museum

She understands and really “gets” the challenges that children and young adults face today and loves helping them thrive. Gretchen is a collaborative clinician who has experience working with various stakeholders including school social workers, school counselors, parents, teachers and children

Pam Matos, MS, LCPC

Pam brings a diverse clinical background with young children, including those with autism and developmental disabilities. Pam has tools for children, parents and siblings to help create a supportive environment for children thrive.

Becky Freeman-Murray, MA, LCPC, Clinical Director

Becky brings inpatient and outpatient experience from Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital as well as Clearbrook. She was a Child Life Specialist at Miami Children’s Hospital supporting families, individuals and children. She is a Certified Safety Care Trainer. Becky has worked extensively with school staff as well and is able to support IEP advocacy.

Becky knows the value of supporting the entire family system, particularly parents and couples. She supports women and men individually as well as couples, parents and families. You will experience a warm, kind and professional with gives clear steps to improve.

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